Collapsible wind-break



March 12, 1957 s. E. KNIPFER ET AL COLLAPSIBLE WINDBREAK 2 shetsrsheet 1Filed Dec. 27, 1954 Siear/ E. Kn/pfer Edward La za IN VEN TORS March1957 s. E. KNIPFER ETAL- COLLAPSIBLE! WIND-BREAK 2 Sheeis-Shee FiledDec. 27, 1954 m w m E 9 Edward -Lajza IN V EN TORS United States Patent2,784,779 COLLAPSIBLE WIND-BREAK Stearl E. Knipfer and Edward Lajza,Tomahawk, Wis.

Application December-27, 1954, Serial No. 477,659 Claims. or. 160-135),

This invention relates generally to an improved windbreak and moreparticularly to a portable collapsible structure adapted for use as ashelter on beaches, in the woods, open fields or on the ice during icefishing whereever a wind-break is necessary.

The principal object of this invention 'is to provide a wind-break inthe form of a shield having a plurality of relatively bendable sectionsincluding means for securing thereto support elements which areoperative to retain the relatively foldable sections substantially rigidas well as to support the wind-break in a substantially uprightposition.

Another object of invention is to provide in a windbreak includingrelatively foldable sections means for securing said sections relativelyrigid with respect to each other and supporting them in a substantiallyupright condition.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a collapsiblewind-break which includes relatively foldable sections and means forretaining said sections in a substantially rigid condition and supportedin a substantially upright position, means for readily presenting saidcollapsible wind-break in a relatively compact and readily transportableunit.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a readilydetachable fastening means for securing support members to a collapsiblewind-break.

And still another object of the present invention is to provide animproved portable collapsible wind-break of the character describedwhich is durable, adjustable, simple in construction positive inoperation, economical to manufacture and highly efficient andserviceable in use.

These together with other objects and advantages will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible windbreak in anerected position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible windbreak in collapsedor portable condition;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 33 ofFigure 2 and showing the reinforced edges of the wind-break panels;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of one of the extensible support elementswhich are secured between an outer and inner panel of the wind-breakwith portions being broken away, including a portion of the wind-breakpanel to which the support element is attachable;

Figure 5 is a further enlarged view taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFigure 4 showing the novel fastener means for the extensible supportelement;

Figures 6 and 7 are further enlarged views taken substantially on line6-6 and 7-7, respectively, of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the detachable securingmeans which prov-ides a rigid connection between the inner panels of thewind-break.

2,784,779 Patented Mai. 12, 1957 The wind-break is indicated generallyat 10 and includes inner panels 12 and 14 and outer panels 16 and 18which are made of a suitable material such as water resistant corrugatedcardboard, a stiff water treated fabric or compressed fiber glass whichmay be: of a suitable color for camouflage purposes for duck hunters,for example, or a white color for use on the beach to have the higestreflective qualities. It is to be noted that the panels are formed froman integral sheet element wherein the hinge or foldable connections arean integral part of the panels being merely suitable creases therein.These creases are indicated by reference character 20. The collapsiblewind-break is supported by detachable and extensible supports 22 whichare secured between an inner and outer panel preventing relativemovement therebetween when the device is in an erected position.Securing elements 24 are provided between the relatively foldable innerpanels to make them relatively rigid when the device is in an erectedposition.

Provided along the outer edges of the entire collapsible wind-break aresuitable edge reinforcing elements 26, as most clearly seen in Figure 3,for example. This reinforcing edge portion may be of plastic or aluminummaterial, for example, and is pressed into the panel, as seen in Figure3, to provide a finished and attractive edge.

The inner panel securing elements 24 are most clearly seen in Figures 1and 8, wherein the securing elements are secured to one of the panelmembers by a chain 28 or by any suitable means for the prevention of theloss thereof. The securing elements 24 consist of a U-shaped memberwhich has a pair of parallel leg portions and an upper connectingportion 32. The connecting portion 32 is of a width to provide arelatively manual press fit when inserted transversely on the upper andlower edges of the inner panels 12 and 14 as clearly shown in Figure 1.Obviously, the device may be utilized with but a single securing element24.

Suitable grommets 34 are provided in the panels to add strength theretoand to provide anchoring means for the extensible supports 22, see forexample Figure 5.

The extensible supports 22 are secured in the grommets 34 by means ofconnectors 36 most clearly seen in Figure 5. As seen in Figure 5 theextensible supports 22 include an upper flat portion 38 which is formedby' flattening the tubular elements from which the extensible support isconstructed and which has an aperture 40 therethrough of a size similarto that through the grommet. The flattened portion 38 when secured tothe panel,

such as'panel 18 shown in Figure 5, has a suitable washer- 42 adjacentthereto which is contacted by compression spring 44. A pin 46 includingan enlarged head 48 abuts the opposite end of the spring 44. The pin 46includes a transversely disposed pivot pin 50 at the end opposite theenlarged head 48. The pivot pin 50 extends across inwardly extendingslot 52 in the end thereof which has pivotally mounted thereon asecuring element 54. The pivotal securing element 54 has disposedbetween it and the grommet 34 when the connector element is functioningto connect the extensible support 22 to the panel 18, as seen in Figure5, a suitable washer 56.. When serving the function of a connector, itwill be noted, the securing element 54 includes portions 58 which areengageable with the adjacent surface of the washer 56. As clearly shownby the phantom lines in Figure 5, removal of the connectors 36 isaccomplished by applying pressure on the enlarged head 48 overcoming thepressure of the compression spring 44 permitting clockwise movement ofthe securing element 54 so that it can be withdrawn through the grommet34 and the washers and fiat portion 38 of the extensible support.Ordinarily the fasteners 36 in only the outer panels are removedpermitting the extensible support 22, after being collapsed,

tojcontinue tosbesecuredto the wind-break in a manner clearly shown inFigure.,2. I

The extensible supports 22 are constructed of tubular elements, whichmay be circular or rectangular or any desired cross section, andincludes a primary p,ortion260 anda branch portion 62, the function of.whichwillsubsequently bedescribed. The primary branchczof-the.extensiblesupport 22, as clearly seen in. Figures 4 andS, includes theflattened upper portion 38 for connection; to thegrommets 34. The lowerportion. of the. primary branchhas telescopically secured'thereto bymeans of a suitable-clamp member 64 a lower section 66 which terminatesin a suitable pointed end 68,- secured in any suitable manner forpenetratingthe ice, sand or ground.

The branch portion 62.includes.a lowerflattenedxportion 70 which issecured by means of a clamp element 72. to an intermediate upperport-ion of the primary branch portion of the extensible support 22 asclearly seen in Figures 4 and 6. Itshould be readily observable that theclamp. element 72 is slidably mounted. on the upper branch portion aswell as being movable in an arcuate.

pathutherearound and the secondary branch portion 62 is pivotallysupported on the fastening element 72 by means ofa suitable pin element74 which passesthrough the clamp element 72 and the flattened end. 7%)of the second.- ary branch portion 62 and which has threadedly securedto it the wingnut 76. The opposite end of the secondary branch portion62 is flattened in a manner similar to that of the flattened portion 38of the primary branch portion, as seen'for example in Figure l andidentified by reference character 78. Secured in any suitable manner onthe portion 66 of the primary branch portion 60 is a clamp element whichincludes a bifurcated clamping portion 82 which is of a diameter toaccommodate the secondary branch portion62 of the extensible support 22when the wind-break is collapsed as seen in Figure 2.

The upper and lower portions 84' of the outer windbreakpanels aretapered inwardly as clearly seen in Figures'l and 2. The purpose of suchtapering is that when thedevice is in the erected position shown inFigure 1, the outer panels 16 and 18 extend rearwardly a slightamountand the wind-break is tilted rearwardly toward the extensiblesupports 22. In this position the tapered edge portions provide asuitable support and a firm-base for the leaning wind-break affording adesirable angle of attack. with reference to the wind which will' beblowing against the wind-break opposite the side thereof thattheextensible-supports have been placed.

The size of the collapsible wind-break is such that it may be readilytransported in the trunk of a car, and in view of the readilycollapsible features thereof, and its relative simplicity ofconstruction as well as its-inherent rigidity after erection, itprovides the useful and efficient device for the purposes previouslymentioned.

Various positional directional terms such as front or.-rear, are used tomerely have a rela-tive connota'tion and are not intended to limit thedevice with respect to any external elements.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the..device..will.. bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and'changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new-is as follows:

1. A portable collapsible wind-break including a plurality of relativelypivotaLwind-break panels having. a pivotal connection. betweenadjacentpanels, said panels constituting innerand outer panels,removable connecting means between pairs of inner panels for providing arigid connection therebetween, combined support and connectingmeansoperably connected between an outer and inner panel for providing arigid connection therebetween and supporting;said-wind1break panelszin.an erect position, anddetachable fasteningzmeansfor detachably connecting the combined support and connecting means to an outer and innerpanel.

2. A. portablewcollapsible:windrbreak as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe outer. edges "of each of the relatively pivotal wind-break panelsincludes an integral reinforced edge portion.-

3. In a portable collapsible wind-break as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid pivotal connection between adjacent panels includes an integralportion of each adjacent panel having apreformed folded portion thereinto permit relative. pivotal movement between said adjacent panels.

4. In a portable collapsible wind-break as set forth in claim 3 wherein.the combined supported connecting means between an: outer and. innerpanel includes an extensible: suppornhaving. a surface engaging-portionon a main branch thereof and includinga secondary branch removablysecured. tov an intermediate portion thereof,

said main branchand'secondary branch portions beingrelatively andremovably secured to an adjacent inner and outer-relatively pivotalpanel for securing said relatively pivotal panel in. a substantiallyrigid condition.

5. In a portable collapsible-wind-break as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid main-branch porti'onincludes a telescopically engageableportiontherewith for adjustment of the extensible support relativeto thesurface being engaged.

References .Cited in thezfile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS696,044 Hoifmann. Mar. 25, 1902 1,280,291 Phelps Oct. 1, 1918 1,974,377Knutson' Sept. 18, 1934 2,532,378 Starnes Dec. 5, 1950 2,576,384-Bentley Nov. 27, 1951 2,622,298 Macedo Dec. 23, 1952

